Pamela Anderson adds star power to French foie gras debate

Actress-turned animal rights activist Pamela Anderson has caused a stir in France by speaking out against foie gras, the fatty duck and goose liver delicacy which producers say is an integral part of French cuisine.

Actress-turned animal rights activist Pamela Anderson has caused a stir in France by speaking out against foie gras, the fatty duck and goose liver delicacy which producers say is an integral part of French cuisine.

The former Baywatch star spoke in France's parliament at the invitation of a Green Party politician who is spearheading a bid to ban "gavage," a process where food is pumped in to the birds' stomachs to engorge the liver.

Anderson, who is known for her risque methods of drawing attention to wildlife conservation, urged legislators to "evolve beyond barbarism and ignorance" and ban the practice.

Foie gras production employs 100,000 people in France, according to industry figures.